TAMPA BAY CLASSIC 2005
COMMENTS FROM OTHERS

From: Norma from Brooksville FL
What a super weekend we had at the Classic! It was my first time for the entire weekend, and I was not sorry! It was everything, and more, than I ever expected! The instructors were wonderful, too. Even they didn't know me from a hole in the ground, several stopped and chatted, or just passed the time of day! The lessons were fun and we would do each section of 8 steps a dozen times, if just one person said, "again!" These awsome people really wanted us all to really learn the dances they were teaching. The vendors were something else, as well! One friend bought a $58.00 outfit and she had to go get her money from her car, and the vender actually let her take the outfit with her and come back to pay for it. How's that for doing business? The saleslady said she knew she could always trust the dancers! The service at the Double Tree Inn was superb, rooms were clean and spacious. Checking in was quick and painless! The food there was very good, and we we! re provided with a private dining area for all 3 meals. You could either bring in your own, which is what we did for lunch, or buy from the carts in the hallway, which sold donuts, muffins, etc. and hots, hamburgers, or cold sandwiches, etc. In the ballrooms for the lessons, we had plenty of water provided by the hotel, and the a/c was sufficient. Of course when you dance alot, it did get hot, but when I sat out a couple, I got cool, and had to put on a sweater! The dances that were taught were soo good, I just wish I could have taken all the lessons offered, oh so many dances, and so little time!! The Pro/Am was wonderful; what a beautiful bunch of people, just like me, well a couple of them were a lot more talented than me! I admire all of them to be on the floor with their instructors for moral support, and do such a beautiful job of performing in front of a large audience, and not appearing nervous, even though I'm sure they were! The Dinner / Show was fabulous! Dinner ! was pretty much on time, and the food was hot, plentiful, and very tas ty! The Show was awsome, and I'll tell you, I used that word a lot this weekend. Those instructors/choreographers are the most talented people I've ever seen. They dance to perfection, and love every minute of it and are so dar n nice! We are sooooo lucky to have all of that talent in our line dance world!! I also saw a lot of line dance friends and past instructors that I haven't seen in a very long time, and that was just great; none of them have forgotten me, and I was so complimented by their kind attentions! Finally, I must tell you about Arline Winerman. I don't know how this lady does all of what she does. She co-chaired the event with Scott Hucks of course, but she was the Tampa connection. And she was everywhere. You didn't have an hour go by that you didn't see her doing something somewhere for somebody. And she mentored several students in the Pro/Am, as well; where she got the time to do that with all she has going, I'll never know. How fortunate her students are! to have her as an instructor. If she wasn't so far away, I'd love to to go to her classes again. She even stopped by the ballrooms to see how we were doing, and she always had time to stop and chat, and when she'd walk by, she'd always ask, "is everything going ok?" She always looked beautiful, especially Sat. night; the theme was Hawaiian, and her mumu was just gorgeous! Arline is a talented, warm, thoughtful, loving lady, and I congratulate her on a job very well done! 'Love ya' Arline!! The weekend went by sooooo fast, it was just too wonderful. If any of you haven't been to an event of this magnitude, I sure recommend it 100%. Next year, same place, the first weekend of November, (2,3,4,5, 2006.) Mark your calanders now; you don't want to miss the 4th Annual Tampa Bay Classic! It's a winner all the way!!
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From: lindy (kicknboot@cfl.rr.com)
Well, what can I say? It was WONDERFUL!!!! Arline and Scott put on a great event and every year are somehow able to outdo the previous one. This year we were in a different hotel. (they did NOT have my peach toilet tissue...grr). But, otherwise was a great venue. Their restaurant and bar were very user-friendly and accommodating and the food was delicious. They had breakfast and lunch buffets as well as menu meals. Also, they had set up food in the hallways outside the dance rooms which made it ever so convenient to eat on the run between dance rooms. AND they had a Barnies in the lobby!!! Only the floor in the Florida beginner room had a smaller dance floor than the others but the room itself was quite large. They managed to keep the temperature and sound in the dance rooms just right too.
I was blessed to have been invited to teach this year, which was really a great honor and a lot of fun for me (and I hope the dancers who came to my classes too). I was in the beginner room which suits me fine, because we need beginners to carry on the fun of line dance!!! Many instructors, who teach beginner classes, came to learn some new beginner dances to take home to those not quite ready for a big event...or so they think! Once they do come, they are hooked like the rest of us. There were great nationally known instructors from all over the world, who taught some wonderful new dances that I know we will be dancing for a long time to come. All of the instructors made the learning process so fun. And if there were tags/restarts in the dance, there were very few (if any) 'sighs'.
The Sat. night show was swell and the highlight was John Robinson doing a beautiful tribute routine in honor of Jo Thompson. He brought a really big get well card for everyone to sign for her and shared how much she has meant to him and, indeed, all of us in the line dance world over the years, and how much she is being missed at these events. I noticed that in open dance, many of the Jo Thompson dances from over the years were played and filled the floors! We all wish her the very best in her health battle.
We got to see some new instructor/choreographer faces this year...all great ones, and we love having the favorites return each year too. It was a nice mix. The Brit Pack is staying in the area for a bit and will be guest teaching in the Orlando and Tampa area for the rest of the week. The party continues!!!!!!!!
We had a ball visiting with old friends, making new ones and just generally having the great time we always do! So, for all those beginners who are afraid of a big event, just come once!!! Like the old potato chip commercial....betcha can't stop at just one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Arline and Scott.
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From: Dianna
Just wanted to say thanks to Arline and Scott for a great event. My friends and I from Sebring had a great time. The instructors were so great and the dances that were taught were the best. We all had such a great time and had a chance to see our friends again. Thanks again.
Dianna
dianbayle@netzero.net
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From: Ferrel splash@gnc.net
Well, I'm almost recovered from the weekend. I had way too
much fun! There were lots of great dances taught. It's hard to
narrow it to a few but I would say my absolute favorite of the event
was Bomshel Stomp. That dance is just pure fun. Other favorites
included: Soft & Slow, Be Strong, Wikked Lil Girls, Double XL,
Bambalero, Lover Boy, No Place To Go - and many more!
The hotel was good, the dance floors were a bit sticky to
start but soon were perfect. Arline, as usual, seemed to have
everything absolutely organized and under control. I only saw 2
problems. A few of the workshops were beyond crowded and one of the
4 rooms was really hot (the others were great!) .
The presenters were all top notch and so willing to give
dancers any extra help they needed. (I saw one instructor do a
"hallway " teach of a dance to a student who had missed the workshop
and wanted to learn the dance.)
I hope those dancers that didn't get a chance to go this year
will make plans to go next year. Ferrel
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From: Bill McGee
What a great weekend in the Cigar City (Tampa Florida). Lots of dancers from all over the place. Thanks to Arline and Scott for putting on a super weekend. Also a BIG thanks to all you dancers that attended the event and my workshops. You all are what make these weekends great.
There were lots of dances taught over the weekend and I am sure someone will give a rundown on all of them. Hope so... I like hearing your comments..
The dances that I taught were, Careless Whisper, Be Strong, You Can Try, and Sugar Train. Hope you enjoyed them!
There were some new faces this year, The Brit Pack, Dee, Dave & Nevil. You guys were great. Great dances and great Instructions... And Dave I really like the mix you played while you were DJ'ing...
This brings me to a few gripes, feedback, that I was getting from lots of the dancers at the open dancing on Saturday night. It did seem that Louie was catering mostly to a certain group of dancers and pretty much leaving the majority of dancers just sitting. I don't think he ever told the crowd that he was only playing requests. I don't want to sound crule but there is a group of dancers that sit on the stage and pretty much party in and around the DJ and that must have been where most of the requests were coming from. This did leave a lot of the older dancers sitting for most of the night. A lot of the older crowd doesn't stay up dancing till 4 or 5 AM. Now I know there was another room to dance that was also playing anything anyone requested but I really think most of the dancers would prefer to dance in the "Big" room where the majority of dancers were.
I personally was dissapointed on Saturday Night as very few of the dances that were taught at the event were played. I would like some feedback on this subject. I personally think that the DJ should automatically play everything that has been taught in a resonable amount of time so the dancers can dance what they have learned. Does anyone else think like me or am I off my rocker??? I would really like to hear what you all think about this subject.
Thanks again for a great weekend and hope we can all do it again in Tampa next year..
Do It On The Dance Floor
with Bill McGee
Orlando, Florida
Fun Capital Of The World
407 422-7248
bill_mcgee@prodigy.net
Click below for the web site.
http://pages.prodigy.net/bill_mcgee/index.html
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From: Ray & Marilyn Mcneal BoarsNestFarm@aol.com
As expected, it was a fabulous weekend in Tampa! Our thanks to Arline and Scott for inviting me to teach again and to all of our local dancers who attended the event. We love seeing ALL of you from everywhere around the state at these dance weekends! There were a ton of wonderful dances with lots of terrific music! Such a pleasure to see faces to match the names we hear about - namely the Brit Pack, Dee Musk, Neville Fitzgerald and Big Dave! Dee's dance When You're Around is one of my favorites. All of your classes were great fun, and we hope you and your family and friends traveling with you enjoy the rest of your week in Florida. Hope you come back too!
The dances I taught were a beautiful waltz, Run for the Roses (Charlotte Macari), my personal favorite Latin rhythm, Simplemente (Kate Sala) to the song Simplemente by Chayanne on the Simplemente album, an easy intermediate 2-step rhythm, The World, (Maggie Gallagher) and a cool west coast swing, Backseat Blues (Dan Albro). Thanks to all who attended my classes!
Ray and I extend VERY special thanks to "SWINGOCALA" for performing in the show! We're a group of "recycled" Ocala swing dancers who have joined together under local dance instructors, Jack & Sherry's leadership to perform the Swing Rueda. Having a great time together and we enjoyed dancing it for you at this event! See y'all at Midnight Rodeo!
Thursdays: Line Dance At Midnight Rodeo 7:00 - 10:00pm
Fridays: Couples Pattern Dance Class 7:30 - 9:00pm
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From: Big Dave And The Brit Pack
Hi all,
We had an awesome time at the Tampa Bay Classic this weekend – A great event by Arline & Scott - The weekend just flew by – We are in Orlando now just chilling – From a ‘Brit Pack’ point of view it was cool that Nev & Dee’s workshops were all really well attended & the dances well received – Of the dances taught Nev’s Trippin’ (My favourite is still Suddenly though !!) & Dee’s Shake Ya Body were the biggest hits (Dee's Bring It On will be just as popular I reckon but a bit harder to master early days !!) – I also taught T&V’s Never Again which was also really well received - Thanks T&V.
It was also great for me to do some DJing over the weekend alongside the one & only Louis, well known [infamous !!] of course in the States – And some in the UK will remember him from his [equally infamous] MIL visit a couple of years back – A personal thanks to Louis from me.
Just going out to do some tourist stuff – So for now just a quick note on
some of the dance highlights ----------------
A few of the dances already really popular in the States – Certainly filling
the floor at Tampa (Some of them even more so after being taught in
workshops) – That are now high on my ‘to-do’ list are – Crabbucket (So popular it made me feel guilty I’ve not done it – Carol Craven’s been telling me for months – Promised her I’ll do it now !!! It was really great to finally meet Carol by the way – Awesome in fact !!) - Guyton’s Playa & Sum’m Sum’m, Drive Me Crazy, Hollaback & Cocoa Puffs are all great dances that spring to mind – Clouds In My Eyes & Walk Back To Me are also going really well – And one that I’m already doing that is also a big hit here in the States is Home (Can’t understand why that one in particular is not doing better in the UK - Come on UK !!) – Bryan McWherter taught it this weekend as well.
Top of the list however is Amy Christian’s Feel So Good – When you look at the sheet you will not be encouraged to do this dance because of the arm movements & the phrasing (As was the case with me) – But when you’ve seen it & danced it you’ll be glad you did (“Trust Me” as someone once said !!) – It’s different & cool – It’s the one we all got upthis morning & all walked through so we can dance it tonight at Guyton’s class -It’s awesome – Well done Amy (Neville, Dee, Julie & my Christine are practicing this one in their swim wear at this very moment as I’m sat typing !!! – Not a pretty sight – Neville I mean !!!!)
Some of the highlights for the brand new dances taught for us include Guyton’s Surreal (Family Affair, Mary J. Blige), Michelle Jackson’s Double Take & Have A Ball (Not really heard of Michelle before, but a great dancer & two really cool dances – A new name to watch out for I reckon for sure), Maurice Rowe’s After Party - Also California Bounce, an easy funky one by Mark Cosenza & Yvonne Anderson, Junior Willis’s Hot Thang & Bill McGee’s You Can Try (It was great to meet Bill, Maurice & Junior for the first time – Amongst many others !!!) ------ Bill also taught Careless Whisper & Be Strong which were really popular – Junior’s dance Double J Switch was cool by the way – But of
course in the UK many of us have already done Shaz’s Switch-A-Roo which is still one of my own favourites.
Bryan taught Take It To The Floor – Already done this one & really like it –Also We Be Burnin, a cool new dance – Bryan was a great MC for the event shows by the way – If you’re going to Bossyboot Sue’s you’ll have a great fun time with Bryan & Guyton – And needless to say I’m looking forward to seeing Guyton as our guest star at Newline in September as well.
Of the more traditional/easier dances taught the ones I noted in particular
for my classes included Vivienne Scott’s Jailhouse Creole (It was great to
meet & chat with Viv for the first time as well – Clearly a very popular & well liked instructor with the Tampa dancers as well I noticed) - Peter & Alison, whose workshops as every were always full, taught some cool dances (I like Wikked Lil Girls which is still on my ‘to-do’ list) – Pirates of Dance was really popular – but also most notably Walk Back To Me – A lovely & quite easy country dance which I also plan to do when I get back. I also liked the look of Dan Albro’s Backseat Blues – A cool teach by Marilyn from Ocala (Who also did Maggie G’s The World, another beginner/improver favourite of mine) – Judy McDonald’s
Eleven-01 (Volcano – Jimmy Buffet) & Bill McGee’s Sugar Train (Best Years of our Lives – Baha Men) also looked like cool beginner dances.
John Robinson’s new one Get It While It’s Hot was one of the hits of the
weekend for sure, although some of us in the UK have already done Andrew, Simon & Sheila’s dance Flamin Hot (A dance I coincidently recapped just a few weeks back) – If you’ve not done Flamin’ Hot though this is one to check out & we can split the floor.
A few of fun dances for Xmas Parties maybe ---------- Hernando’s Hideaway was a big hit, a cool fun dance by Roy that Kate taught for us at Newline in September (I’m sure we’ll be doing this with Roy at the Maggie G Blackpool event the weekend after next) – Vivienne Scott also taught a fun dance called Clap Your Hands to a Russian track for our pre-show fun which everyone really enjoyed (Try it – It’s really easy & great party fun) – And last but not least John Robinson taught Sophisticated Hula (Co-written with Doug & Jackie) – Great fun - For you next beach party night maybe !!!
Some popular Brit dances were also featuring in the workshops – Paul’s
Careless Whisper was a huge hit (Another floor-filler) – Others really well received included Maggie’s The World, Kate’s Bombalero (Great teach by Stella Cabecca who you could tell just loved the dance & music – It certainly was enough to encourage me to get it on my teach list !!) & Simplemente, Audry Watson’s Be Strong, Ann Wood’s No Place To Go, Robert Lindsey’s Love’s Whisper & Charlotte’s Run For The Roses - All taught & promoted really well by various instructors.
All the above recommendations were endorsed by lot’s of requests at the DJ booth – So it’s not just me & our gang !!!!
Best of all was meeting up will lots of folk again or for the first time – I
could write a long list of names but I won’t because you’ll just get bored
& I’ll miss someone out !! – But a special thanks to those folk that came to the event especially to see the Brit Pack & to those that came up to thank us for coming over – You know who you are !!!! and we really appreciate all the friendship & support over the weekend.
Having fun in Florida this week so sorry it might be a while before I catch
up with the web-site my emails.
Looking forward to a night with Guyton & Sandy tonight at the Jesse Black Saloon in South Orlando – And back in Tampa with Paula at the Round-up on Thursday – Then with Fran&Co in Phoenix on Saturday – Cya there if you are coming.
PS – The last one I played was Syncopated Love – Doing great both sides of the pond – Just like a lot of others including such things as Keep It Burnin, The Way, Soluna, Black Horse, Irish Stew, Meltdown/NoRegrets/Replay/Freaks To The Floor, Miller Magic, Caught in the Act, Betcha Neva, Double XL, Poetry In Motion, Quand05, Dipstick, Mars Attack, All Day Long …………………..
Cheers all - Off to join in practicing Feel So Good - But not in a swimming trunks !!!
Dave (& the Brit Pack).
NOTE FROM ME: I heard they had a great turnout at Guyton's and Sandy's class last night in Orlando. Remember they are going to be at the Roundup in Tampa on Thursday night so come and meet them and learn some dances.
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From: Jpwoman@msn.com
You are truley a remarkable woman. The Tampa Bay Line Dance Classic was awsome again this year. I could only participate part of the time but as usual you did an outstanding job!!! People don't realize the work it takes to put something like this together. I look forward to watching the Pro-Am event, and to see you with all your students dancing at every level-beginner to advanced.. All I can say is that when I grow up I want to be just like you! Looking forward to next year.
Jackie Phillips
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From: talerra@bellsouth.net
All I can say is WOW! This was my first big event where I went and
stayed over and it was just fabulous! I have travelled all over the
world and that was one of the nicest hotels I have had the pleasure of
staying in. Everyone was so friendly and everything was so well
organized. The only thing I would change was the Saturday night open
dance. The show was great but when the open dance started they didn't
play a lot of the dances I learned and sitting there while the
instructors tried to put a dance together off the top of their heads
was not much fun. It was fun to see how talented and spontaneous they
were but it was not fun hearing the song played over and over and over
and over again. I think most of us would rather have been dancing! :o)
The open dance Friday night was great though, we had a blast there and
danced our feet off! I came home and counted and I learned 12 new
dances!! I liked all but one and I even retained about 5 of them
completely! My top two without a doubt were PIRATES OF DANCE and BOMBSHEL STOMP. These were two of the most fun dances ever and I can't wait to do them over and over! I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to the folks that put this together, the instructors and all the fun people in the line dance community. This is a great group of folks to get together with and I will definitely be back next year!!!
-Cathy
www.cathyfalconer.com
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From: Arline Winerman
Just wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone involved in the
Tampa Bay Line Dance Classic this past weekend. Mostly to the
fabulous people who came and danced with us but especially to
the incredible instructors and DJ's who worked so hard to give
us a wonderful four days. All of the volunteers who do so much to
keep things running smoothly were indispensable. I know I was
happy and enjoyed every minute - I am always sad when it comes
to an end!! I think the new hotel was great and heard from
lots of people that the buffet Sat. night was fantastic. I was
very proud of our Pro/Am dancers and thought everyone danced
extraordinarily well. The response was overwhelming this year
- we seem to keep growing and growing each year. That's a
very good thing!! I am pleased to be a part of this event and
promise to make it even better next year. The event will be
Nov. 2 - 5 in 2006 so mark your calendars. Thanks
so much to everyone for dancing with us and sharing a wonderful
experience. See you next year.
Arline Winerman, Co-Event Director
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From: Scott Hucks
Just wanted to let everyone know that Arline and myself really appreciate all of the wonderful feedback and reports on this years Tampa Bay Linedance Classic.
Hundreds of faithful dancers from around the globe came to Tampa this past weekend to dance and party all weekend long. I understand that some of you even danced until 6:00AM on Sunday morning!
We especially appreciate all of the wonderful instructors, volunteers and DJ's that did an outstanding job for us. The new hotel facility was great as well, with excellent food and much more room to dance than ever before.
We are looking forward to next year for the 4th Annual Tampa Bay Linedance Classic held November 2-5, 2006. We will be at the same new facility and promise to bring you even more fun and dancing!
Thanks again for making this event one of the premier linedancing events in the world!
Scott Hucks,
Co-Event Director
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From: Susan Webb swebb@simflex.com
Thanks to Arline and Scott for putting on a wonderful event in Tampa. It was even better than last year. I was happy to see some new instructors/choreographers there whose dances I have done in the past but had never been at an event with like Dee Musk, Neville Fitzgerald, and Michelle Jackson. The weather was great and I enjoyed sitting out by the pool when I was too tired to take another class or late in the afternoon before getting ready for open dancing at night. The rooms were really nice and I also enjoyed the little balcony outside the room where we could sit and enjoy our coffee, etc. Plenty of food was available all the time in the restaurant, bar or outside the dance rooms. Also the hotel provided shuttle service to other restaurants in the area not within walking distance. There were nice big dance floors but the floors were a little sticky which made them hard to move on and wore my legs out on Thursday night. By Friday, someone put powder on the corners of ! the floor for us to step in to slick our shoes up before taking classes which helped tremendously.
Louie was taking requests during open dancing, and I was surprised that a lot of old dances were played which left my memory long ago. Also there was a smaller room for open dancing at night dj'd by Olivia Ray and she was taking requests too and requests would come up much faster since there were fewer people in that room. I heard that Louie played until 6:00 AM Sunday morning for all the dancers who could hang in there that long.
The competitions were done on Saturday, and I was honored to be one of the judges and excited to see all the dancers who did a wonderful job competing. However, I was disappointed that the medals were not given out in the main ballroom on Saturday night where everyone was. They were given out in the smaller room across the hall. The competitors deserved the recognition before a large audience. I do not know all the names of all the competitors so do hope that someone will post the winners on LDI.

There were many good dances taught, and these were my favorites of ones I was able to take:
Double Take by Michelle Jackson
That's Life by Johanna Barnes taught by Kathy G.(this dance won first place for choreography at the Windy City Event)
Get it While It's Hot by John Robinson
Trippin' by Neville Fitzgerald
Long 'n Hot by Junior Willis and Jo and Joe Kinser
Home by Frank Cooper taught by Bryan McWherter
Have A Ball by Michelle Jackson
We Be Burnin' by Bryan McWherter

Others favorites of mine taught that I did not take because I had already taken them at other events:
Double J Switch by Junior Willis and Joey Warren
I'm Moving On by Craig Bennett taught by Bryan McWherter
Cocoa Puffs by Zac Detweiller taught by Guyton Mundy
Lover Boy by Guyton Mundy
Ah-Ah Ah by Guyton Mundy
Hernando's Hideaway by Roy Verdonk taught by Glen Pospieszny
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From: Vivienne Scott
Hi everyone:
Many, many thanks to Arline Winerman and Scott Hucks for a terrific,
action-packed, fun filled weekend at the Tampa Bay Linedance Classic. Also, special thanks to the dancers who made me feel so welcome -- what a supportive and encouraging group you are, besides which you are a lot of fun to be around! There was a warm, friendly atmosphere, great instruction, wonderful dancing and performances and beautiful weather. What more could you ask for?!!

I've put up my Report and Photos on Stay In Line -- www.stayinline.ca -- sodo check them out!

All the best,
Vivienne
NOTE FROM ME: Great writeup and lots of good pictures.
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From: Sherron.Mahs@wellstar.org
I'm still recouperating from Tampa - what a great event. Many thanks to all the hard work put into this event. I usually work at the JG2 Marathon so it was just really great to go and play the whole time.
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From: Margaret (First-Time Event Attendee)
I really did love the workshop. Busy Busy all the time. All of the instructors were the best. They were so helpful and took their time to help Everyone.
They made everyone feel wanted and relaxed. The dances were all great and lots of fun. The show was great on Saturday. It is so fun to just sit and laugh awhile at some good healthy humor. I hope every workshop is the same.
Thanks to everyone that had a hand in putting that wonderful weekend together.
Margaret,
mrutzel@ismi.net
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From: Bonnie Stein (Bonnie@AceWalker.com)
I was at the Tampa Bay LD Classic for only Thursday night, Friday, and Friday night. I had to fly to Savannah for business on Saturday morning. But, I had such a good time last year that I felt it was worth it to come for a day, even if I couldn't be there for the whole weekend.
I agree with much of what everyone has said so far. The hotel was wonderful, the dances were good, the instructors were top notch, and Arline and Scott certainly went out of their way to make sure that we were having a good time and all was going well.
The people who were wearing sneakers said that the floor was too sticky on Friday. I was wearing dance boots and the floor felt perfect for me. Once people started putting powder on the floor, it became way too slippery for dance boots.
I guess it's a wonderful thing for the Tampa Bay LD Classic that the attendance seems to be growing each year. Seems like they have already outgrown this new, bigger, roomier hotel. A couple of times the most popular dance of the hour had a floor that was way too overcrowded. Uncomfortably so. People had to dance on the carpet in a number of sessions because they couldn't fit on the floor. And in some sessions – the floor was so packed I had to concentrate so that I wouldn't step on my neighbor, nor be stepped on.
One floor should be much bigger than the others and that floor be reserved for the dance/instructor that's expected to have the biggest crowd each hour. Last year I remember Arline and Scott doing a good job of rearranging an instructor into a larger room at the last minute when necessary. I agree with another comment made that one room was particularly hot. The others seemed OK.
Bill McGee said that the majority of dancers were sitting instead of dancing on Sat. night because they didn't know the dances and not enough of the "event" dances were played. I was already in Savannah on Saturday night, but I felt the same thing occurred on Friday night. I had purposely gone to Arline's classes the past two Tuesday nights because it was promised that we'd review the dances that would be played on the weekend. Arline did a fine job of reviewing on those Tuesday nights, but the D.J.'s didn't do a good job of playing those particular dances. I don't know what happened the other nights, but on Friday night, I didn't get to do any of the dances from Arline's classes.
Furthermore, I requested three dances on Friday night and none of them were played in the hour and 15 minutes that I stayed at the party. I finally left. I completely agree with what Bill has suggested – the D.J. should play the music for the dances that were taught during the weekend. And certainly requests, but not only requests from the same dancers over and over. And if Arline ever gave the D.J. her list of dances that he should play, I wonder when he played them. It sure wasn't during the time I was there. Most of the dances played I had never heard of.
In the end, the basic necessities are in place (great hotel, great instructors, great event directors) and the "needs improvement" items can be easily remedied. I would go back next year. It was a fun event with a lot of potential for getting even better.
----------------------
Bonnie Stein, M.Ed., CPTS
AceWalker Walk Your Way to Fitness Programs
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From: judymaggio@comcast.net
We are still recovering from Hurricane Wilma, but slowly getting back to normal. Several us went to Tampa last weekend for the Tampa Bay Dance Classic, we had a great time and thanks to Arline and Scott for putting on such a great event.One of the dances that was done in open dance everyday was Scott Blevins MELTDOWN, we all wanted to learn it, but unfortunately it was not taught. So on our return to our Tuesday night class with Diane Hogan she taught it to us, what a great dance ( a little scary at first) but worth the effort. Last night at Roundup Lisa taught it again, we were all very happy to get another chance at this dance.She also taught LOVER BOY by Guyton, this dance was taught in Tampa and it is a cute little dance, and not difficult at all (can you believe it). We are still dancing to I'M MOVIN ON, LAST DAYS OF DISCO, BETCHA NEVA, KEEP IT BURN'N, FUNKY FRESH, DOUBLE J SWITCH, FREAKS TO THE FLOOR to mention a few.
Happy Dancing from Judy and the gang at the Roundup
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From: Mark Cosenza
I'd like to briefly respond to the comments regarding open dance and playing the all of the dances that were taught. This has been done at other events by Louie and it received even more complaints! One of the problems was that some of the dances may have been too new and difficult for folks to go up and do again (and thus sit down when called that evening even though they were in the class) and others had sparse classes. At Windy City, we did have the luxury of having another room so we made sure all of the dances were reviewed during a specific time in this room - and that worked well. (Perhaps that can be worked out somehow at Tampa next year). However, some instructors would still like to see their dances done in the Open Dance room. The review is probably a good gauge to the instructor as to whether they will get a decent floor turnout during open dance. Louie does not know out of every dance taught, which will fill the floor and which will not, so it is up to the ! instructors to request the dances they taught that he should make sure to play that night and be on the "honor system" that they probably will not clear the floor or that the dance is that "special" that everyone should sit down and watch the handful of dancers perform.
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From: jill.dumont@polk-fl.net
I meet a group of friends at Old Town, in Kissimmee, for a night of open dancing on Wednesday nights. We were joined by Dave, Dee, Neville, Pauline and quite a few other Brits last night. It was a real treat to dance Lights Out with its choreographers (my #1 favorite dance of all time…yeah, that’s me who always gives it that one vote every week). I’ll never understand why more people don’t do that dance! Needless to say, with the McGee’s and the Brit Pack, we had a great time.
Arline and Scott, the Tampa Bay Classic is definitely the one workshop I don’t ever plan to miss. This was my second year (only heard about it for the first time last year) and there was something for everyone! I do wish Louie would have played the music for all the dances that were taught in the workshops instead of the select few he played repeatedly. Some of those dances need to be done 5 or 6 times before they sink in.
The Doubletree was a great place and not so big that you needed a map to find where anything was. The weather was perfect, the instructors were some of my favorites, the dances were fun (though some were rather challenging), and everybody was smiling. I got a kick out of overhearing a group of ladies, out by the pool, discussing which classes they’d be attending. They didn’t want any class that was teaching a dance with tags or restarts…but that’s another story.
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From: Olivia Ray (One Of The Djs At The Tampa Event)
I use a request list. I was one of the DJs at the Tampa Line Dance Classic. I put everything in my computer off the list into the play list sometimes it goes to the bottom of the list and sometimes it just goes in there somewhere. I know Louie puts every request in the play list on his computer. He has the same DJ program I have. If you ask him for a song he types it in then. He doesn't use a written request list but he gets every request. Now if you don't go up and give the request we don't know what you want played. If the dancers aren't requesting the dances an instructor taught they won't be played. But all request get on the play list. Sometime you my leave the room and the song maybe played then. All you need to do is request.
Olivia Ray
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From: Louie St. George
I wish you would have taken to time to think about all the facts before stating your opinion in the way you did.
FACT 1: Open dancing did not even start till 10:10 PM on Saturday night and the first dances I played were dances taught at the event that filled all three floors of the ballroom .
FACT 2: The people seated in front of me on the stage never once asked for anything. People either walked up on the stage by the two sets of stairs on each side or just asked one of them to relay it to me.
FACT 3: Anyone that has been dJ'g these events as long as I have will tell you there is no way to play every dance taught during open dance night. Let's do the math: 90 plus dances taught this weekend. Here's the question - how many dances do we do in 4 hours ?? 15 dances x 3.5 minutes (being the average song) = 1 hour x 4 = 60 dances, so if I were to DJ as Bill suggests most people would have danced maybe 2 to 6 times (depending on if they even took workshop lessons) between 10 PM and 2 AM
FACT 4: Bill if you had come up and asked me to play something instead of yelling at me about not playing something, I would have been happy to oblige. I did not play everything John Robinson, Peter Metelnick and Alison Biggs, Judy McDonald, Kathy G, Stella Cabecca (just to name a few) taught but none of them came to me screaming and whining about it.
I take my job very seriously. I put in an 80 hour work week in 4 days over the course of most events. I am always open to constructive criticism but I took your comments as more criticism than constructive criticism.
WILDMAN DJ LOUIE
WWW.EXTREMEDANCING.COM
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From:
For the first time ever my friends & I ventured out of our comfort zone by flying to a line dance event. That event was The Tampa Bay Line Dance Classic held this past weekend. What drew us to this particular event was the fact that the UK was invading in the form of “The Brit Pack”!
The “ Brit Pack” consists of Neville Fitzgerald, Dee Musk & Big Dave. Being a fan of all three of these brits work, I knew if they ever were at an event close enough I would have to get there!! It was also a pleasure to meet Big Dave’s wife, Pauline and Neville’s fiancée, Julie.

As anticipated the dances the “Brit Pack” taught in Tampa were great. Neville’s Trippin and Suddenly are sure hits & Dee’s When You’re Around is beautiful and her Shake Ya Body hit’s the beats of the music perfectly. Big Dave taught T&V’s Never Again, which was fast & fun! Big Dave dj’s and teaches in the UK. He has a knack for picking the next “must do” dance.

Completing the UK invasion was Peter Metelnick & Alison Biggs who never disappoint. They taught Push The Button & Walk Back To Me, which I highly recommend. A dance of theirs (not taught at this event) called Wright or Wrong is also great. If anyone is attending the upcoming Tim Gillis event don’t miss out on these dances.

In conclusion if the UK invades anywhere close to you I highly recommend going….even if you have to fly!! Event directors, consider giving these guys a ring and have them at your next event; you won’t be disappointed.

Other highlights……………

The Saturday night show was great! I never laughed as hard as I did while watching Senorita Alison & Cohorts rendition of Feels So Good! Great “Bums”!!! Junior Willis performed an awesome clogging routine with an injured back, what a trooper, plus he sure was a Hot Thang in a hula skirt. Also, I’m sure Jo Thompson had to feel all the good thoughts & prayers sent her way when John Robinson danced Clouds In My Eyes in her honor.

Other new dances we learned & liked were John Robinson’s Get It While It’s Hot and Bryan McWherter’s We Be Burnin’. Dances taught that we already knew & love were Careless Whisper & Be Strong taught by Bill McGee and Junior’s Double J Switch.

What a wonderful weekend, it was over way too soon!!!
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